EU Proposes Softening EUDR Reporting Requirements for Small Companies

"Despite some hopeful whispers in the coffee sector, the changes do not appear to apply directly to smallholder coffee farmers. Instead, they would apply to "primary operators" in countries identified as "low risk" under the EUDR. The change may bring some relief to smaller green-coffee traders or European roasters. The proposal would create a lighter, "one-time" declaration for micro and small primary operators in low-risk countries and extend their application date by six months, to Dec. 30, 2026."

"The EUDR is a 2023 EU regulation aimed at keeping products linked to deforestation out of the EU market. It covers seven agricultural commodities, including coffee. To sell coffee into or export it from the EU, operators must show the coffee is deforestation-free and legally produced in the country of origin. They must conduct due diligence - including collecting geolocation data for the source - and file a due-diligence statement in the EU system."

The European Commission proposes to soften reporting requirements for micro and small companies under the EUDR while keeping the Dec. 30, 2025 compliance date for large EU organizations. The proposal would trim red tape for the EU's smallest companies and introduce a lighter, one-time declaration for micro and small primary operators in countries designated as low risk. The one-time declaration application date for those operators would be extended by six months to Dec. 30, 2026. The changes appear to target primary operators such as small green-coffee traders or European roasters rather than smallholder coffee farmers. EUDR obligations include geolocation-based due diligence and filing a due-diligence statement to sell or export coffee into the EU.

Read at Daily Coffee News by Roast Magazine